Improvement in sewing-machines



3 Sheets- Sheet 1.

C. S. CUSHMAN. Sewing-Machine.

Patented Sept. 14,1875.

Fig.1.

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llllll I lllll NPETEHS, PHOTULITNOGRAPHER. WASKINGYON D O I3SHeets--Sheet2'. (L-S. CUSHMAN. Sewing-Machine.

Patented Spt. 14,1875.

fiwezzior.

MPETERS, PHDTD-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D. C

G. S. UUSHM'AN. Sewing-Machine.

3 Sheets--Sheet 3.

No, 167,747, Patented Sept.l4,1875.

N, PETERS. FHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON D G Unrrnn STATES? PATENTQFFICE.

' CYRUS S. OUSHMAN,,OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO NESBIT D.STOOPS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 167,747, datedSeptember 14, 1875; application filed August '28, 1875. I

To all whom it may concern; 7

7 .Be it known that I, OYRUs S. OUSHMAN, of Philadelphia, in the countyof Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew anduseful Improvements in Sewing Machines, of which the following is aspecification This invention has for its object to produce asewing-machine in'which an intermittent and variable rotary movement anda simultaneous horizontal and vertical reciprocating motion are given tothe dentated feed plate, which moves the cloth or other fabric in suchmanner as to carry said fabric in any direction over the bed-plate ofthe machine, for the purpose of forming the stitchesin various designsor patterns for ornamental work.

The invention relates particularly to certain improvements in thedevices for imparting the intermediate and intermittent movement to thefeed-plate; and consists, first, in an improved pattern wheel or cam,consisting of a rotating cylinder provided with slots, openings, orindentations at one end, the number and position of which determine theconfiguration of the pattern, and adapted to be fitted to the machine soas to operate inconnection with the driving-shaft and the devices for operating the crown-wheel, by which the rotary motion is given to thefeed-plate shaft, as more fully hereinafter set forth; second, in thecombination, with said patternrwheel or cam, of a lever operated by acam on the driving-shaft, and provided with a pin or pawl resting uponthe periphery of the wheel or cam in such position as to drop throughthe slots as they are brought under it, and allow the lever to oscillateto its full extent, and rotate the crownwheel by means of a pawl-lever,to which it is connected, as more fully hereinafter set forth; third, inthe combination, with the oscillating lever operated by the cam on thedriving-shaft, of an adjustable pin attached thereto, a slottedpattern-wheel operated by a cam on the driving-shaft, through the mediumof a pawl and ratchet-wheel, the oscillating pawl-lever, and rotatingcrown-wheel, said pawl-lever being provided with sliding spring-boltswhich are adapted to work into recesses on the face of the crown-wheeland carry the same forward, imparting an intermittent variable roto theframe of the machine, and connected at the other, by a link, toauoscillating lever mounted upon a short journal attached to the frameof the machine, and carrying a pawl at its upper end and a ratohetedcrown-wheel mounted upon the same journal and gearing into a pinion onthe lower end of the feedplate shaft, as-fully hereinafter set forth;fifth,

in the combination, with said pawl-lever and pawls and the recessedratcheted crown-wheel gearing into the pinion on the lower end of thefeed-plate shaft, of aregulating-leverfor throwing the pawls into andout of gear, as more fully hereinafter set forth; sixth, in thecombination of the above-mentioned devices for imparting a variablerotary movement to the feed-plate, as fully hereinafter described;seventh, in the combination, with the above-mentioned devices forvimparting a variable, intermittent, rotary motion to the feed-plate, ofcertain' devices for imparting vertical and hori zontalreciprocatingmovement to the feedplate, consisting of two cams attachedto the shaft of the machine, operating two levers, which in turn operatethe vertical shaft carrying the feed-plate, raising the same andadvancing the feed-plate at proper intervals, and springs for retainingthe feed-shaft and its'attachments to position when the levers aredropped, as more fully hereinafter specified.

- In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the lower portion ofthe front end of a sewing-machine showing my improvements attachedthereto, 7 Fig. 2 represents a view looking at the bottom of the same.Fig. 3 represents a view of the lower portion of the front end of themachine similar to the view illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the parts asshifted by the partial rotation of the driving shaft. Fig. 4 representsa vertical section through the line 00 w of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents adetachable view of the ratcheted crown-wheel; Fig. 6, a detachedsectional viewer the feed-plate shaft and its attach ments; Fig. 7, aview of the ornamental stitching workedby the machine. Fig.8 representsa side elevation of my invention with portions Fig. 10 represents adetached view of the shifting-lever for throwing the pawls or the leverV into and out of gear with the crown-wheel.

The letter A represents a machine of ordinary construction, with theusualhangers below for supporting the various working parts; and B themain driving-shaft of said machine. (J represents an additionaldetachable hanger capable of being attached to the stationary hanger onthe lower part of the bed-plate for supporting my improved devices. Thehanger G is provided with screw-bolts c c projecting from the rear ofthe same, which embrace the stationary hangerof the machine, and aresecured around the same by means of a strap or cross-piece, d, by thenuts 6 e, secured on the ends of said bolts. The upper edge or side ofthe removable or detachable hanger is provided with lugs or projectionsf, through whichproject the screw-bolts g, the upper ends of which bearagainst the lower surface of the bed-plate, and by means of which theremovable hanger and the working parts attached to the same may beleveled and adjusted in relation to the bed-plate of the machine. Theletter D represents a cam attached rigidly to the main driving-shaft D,and E an oscillating lever, pivoted upon a short stud, F, secured to thehanger G, and forming the fulcrum of said lever. G represents africtionwheel securedto a stud upon the lever E in a plane just abovethe cam D, against which said wheel bears, and by means of which anupward motion is given to the lever as the driving-shaft is rotated, thedownward or return motion of said lever being effected by means of aspiral spring, H, secured at one end to a pin, I, secured to the sleeveof said lever. which sets over the stud F, the other end being securedto the hangerG or lower frame of the machine. The letter K represents anadjustable pin or pawl, secured by means of a set-screw, L, within aslot on the lever E, and projecting to the rear of 'thesame,

and adapted to work in connection with a.

F F formed on the front face of the crownslotted rotating cylinder orpatterucam, M.

The pattern cam or wheel M consists of a short cylinder or tube, securedrigidly to the sleeve or boss 0 of the ratchet-wheel O. The enlarged endor crown on of said cylinder is provided with slots, openings, orindentations m, which may vary in number and position, according to theconfiguration of the intended or elected pattern. In the presentinstance, four of such slots are illustrated in the position required togive the feed-plate the proper intermittent rotary motion, in connectionwith the shifting-leverC and crown-wheel, to form the patternsillustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawin'gs. Other configurations of thepattern may be formed by substituting differently slotted or indentedpattern-cams for theone shown, for which purpose the cam is madedetachable in order that others may be substituted in its place, when"desired. In the present case the patterircam is illustrated as derivingits rotary movement through the medium of a pawl, P, and ratchet-wheelO, in connection with a pawl-lever, R, and eccentric strap S, secured toan eccentric, T, on the driving-shaft B, but it is evident thatanymechanical equivalent or mechanism may be employed in connection withsaid shaft, to impart proper rotary movement to the pattern-cam. Theadjustable pin or pawl K, attached to the lever E, rests upon theperiphcry of the pattern wheel or cam, the oscillatin g motion of saidlever being limited thereby, until the slots are brought below said pinor pawl, when the pawl drops through the slots, allowing the lever E tooscillate to its full. extent, and upon its return movement operate thecrown-wheel to the proper extent to rotate or partially rotate thedentated feed-plate, so as to change the line of motion of the fabric inorder to form the desired figure or pattern of the stitches. The freeend of the lever E is connected by means of a link, U, to an oscillatinglever, V, swiveled or pivoted upon a boss or short sleeve upon the faceof the crown-wheel W, and a portion of the screw- -bolt Y, by which saidlever and wheel are secured to the journal Z, or directly upon saidjournals. Said lever is provided with a pawl or dog, A, at its upperend, which engages with the ratchet-teeth B upon the periphery of thecrown-wheel W, the rear end of said pawlbeing bent upward andoutward,so=as to fall under the hooked end of o a controllinglever, (3which will be hereinafter fully described. Directly under the rear endof said lever is located a spring-bolt, G, which presses the pawl intothe ratchet on the face of the crown-wheel W. The lever V is alsoprovided with two sliding bolts or pawls, D D, setting in recessesformed in the body of the same, which also contaimspiral springs E E,which,

pressing against the shoulders on said pawls,

force them toward the rear of said lever. Said pawls are set atdifferent distances from the fulcrum of the lever, in order to adaptthem to work into the two series of recesses vented'from any backwardmovement by means of a stationary spring-pawl, K, securely attached tothe hanger G, the endof the same setting into the ratchet upon theperiphery of the wheel.

- other convenient manner.

rem ,7- 3

The controlling-lever O is swiveled or mounted loosely on the boss orsleeve of the wheel W, and is provided with apertures L L at suchrelative points that one or the other of the pawls or sliding bolts D Dmay be allowed to project through the same, and enter the recesses inthe wheel, as may be desired, by shifting or changing the position ofsaid lever. The upper end of said lever is also provided with a hook,which is adapted to set over the bent arm of the pawl A and lift itsother end out of the ratchet. when said lever is set so as to allow theouter pawl D to work into the outer series of recesses F on the face ofthe crown-wheel W, for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. Thelower end of the lever O is in the shape of a handle, by which it may beshifted, and near said end is a catch, M, which engages in recesses N onthe rear face of the lower end of the lever V, and confines it inposition after shifting, the said lever 0 being made sufficientlyelastic to be easily sprung in and out of said recesses.

The crown-wheel W, as before stated, gears into a pinion-wheel, H,secured to the lower end of avertical shaft, 0, journaled in a bore orrecess for the purpose, extending vertically through the hanger 0, saidshaft carrying the feed-plate B which projects through an opening abovethrough the plate of the machine. Said feed-plate is attached to theupper end of a spring-rod, R, which rests in a vertical slot in theshaft 0, being secured to said shaft at its lower end by means of a pin,or in any Z represents a spiral spring surrounding the lower end of theshaft 0, and bearing against the upper face of the pinion-wheel H, andfitting in an enlarged recess in the lower end of the vertical bore.

Z represents a lever pivoted at one end to a screw-bolt, secured to thelever T and extending across the machine parallel with the said lever Tand a little below the same. The

' front end of said lever Z is bent upward, and

rests upon a cam, A attached to the drivingshaft B, and at its center.it is enlarged or extended to one side, said enlarged or extendedportion falling directly under the end of the shaft W, where it isprovided with a set-screw,

B by means of which vertical play of said shaft may be adjusted, and thethrow of the feed-plate regulated. Around the shaft W is secured aspiral spring, 0 the lower end of which rests upon a shoulder formedupon said extent of which will depend upon the adjustment of the pin L,and theposition of the slotted pattern-wheel or cylinder M. The lever Eat each oscillation will impart a corresponding oscillatory movement tothe lever V, caus-- ing the pawl A to advance the wheel W the extent ofone or more teeth, according to the position in which the adjustable pinI is set. Thismovement rotates the feed-plate slightly at each stitch,and, together with the reciproeating motion imparted to said plate, advances' the work diagonally across the bed-plate of the machine.

While this operation is taking place, the slotted wheel or cylinderM isadvanced at each revolution of the shaft B, through the medium of theeccentric on said shaft, and the oscillating lever B attached thereto,moving the pawl P and ratchet O, secured to the end of said cylinder,until one of the slots in the cylinder falls under the pin L, when saidpin drops through the slot, allowing the lever E to move backward to itsfull extent, when one of the pawls D will enter the next backward recessF, and upon the return movement of the lever carry the wheel W forwardindependently of the pawl A rotating the feed-plate to such an extent asto properly change the direct-ion of the stitches for the succeedingportion of the design.

The design, of course, will be varied by the relative distances apart ofthe slots in the pattern-wheel and by the number of slots formed in thesame. In order, however, further to vary the character of the design orfigure of the stitches, provision is made by means of thecontrolling-lever for throwing the pawl A and the pawl or sliding boltD, which works in the inner series of recesses F, out of gear, and atthe same time throwing the outer pawl D into gear with the outer seriesof recesses F. This is accomplished by shifting the lever C so that itshooked end will depress the rear or bent end of the pawl A and at thesame time change the positions of the apertures L L so as to interpose asolid portion of said plate between the inner pawl D and the innerseries of recesses F, and allow the outer pawl to work into the outerseries. When the parts are in this position the pawl A will. cease toact, and the intermittent rotary motion will be accomplished by theaction of the lever E only when the pin L drops through the slots in thepattern-wheel. The wheel W in this latter case will receive no gradualforward movement, as the pawl A does not act, and, consequently, thefeed-plate will be operated in one direction only at the successivestitches, being only rotated periodically after sewing a straight row ofstitches, when it is necessary to change the direction in which thecloth is to be moved.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that by changing thenumber and relative positions of the slots in the patternwheel that thecharacter of the design formed by the stitches may be indefinitelyvaried, and for this reason I prefer to make said said pattern-wheeleasily detachable, in order that it may be removed and otherssubstituted in its place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Pat out, is-

1. The improved pattern wheel or cam, consisting of a rotating cylinderprovided with slots, openings, or indentations at one end, incombination with the driving-shaft and levers whch operate thecrown-wheel, which gives motion to the feed-plate, substantially asdescribed, whereby an intermittent rotary motion is imparted to thefeed-plate at proper intervals to change the direction in which thefabric is moved, to form the desired configuration of the stitches.

2. The combination of the slotted rotating pattern, wheel or cam, theoscillating lever operated by a cam on the driving-shaft, and a pin,pawl, or projection, adapted to drop through the slots on thepattern-cam as they are successively presented, and allow the lever tomove to its full extent for the purpose of rotating the crown-wheel, andthus change the line of motion of the feed-plate.

3. The combination, substantially as herein described, of the cam 1),attached to the driving-shaft, the lever E, carrying the adjustable pinK, the pattern-wheel M, operated by a pawl and ratchet, and eccentric,secured to the driving-wheel, the lever V connected to the lever E, andcarrying the pawls A and i D D, the controlling-lever (l,and theratcheted and recessed crown-wheel W gearing into the pinion of thefcedwheel shaft, all arranged to operate substantially as herein setforth.

4. The combination, substantially as herein set forth, of a cam attachedto the drivingshaft, an oscillating lever, operated by said cam andsecured by means of a link at its end to an auxiliary lever mounted upona short journal or stud, secured to the lower part of the machine, thecrown-wheel formed,

with ratchet-teeth on its periphery, operated by said pawl, and apinion-wheel, into which gears the said crown-wheel, for the purpose ofimparting an intermittent rotary motion to the dentated feed-plate,substantially as described.

5. The combination, substantially as herein set forth, of theoscillating lever, operated by a cam on the driving-shaft, and carryingan adjustable pin, the. slotted pattern-wheel op-,

erated by a ratchet and pawl, which'derives its motion from a cam on thedriving-shaft,

and the oscillating pawl-lever and crownwheel, mounted on a commonjournal, said pawl-lever being provided with sliding spring bolts orpawls adapted to work into recesses on the face of the wheel and impartan intermittent rotary motion to the same, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

6. In combination, with said pawl-lever, provided with sliding springbolts or pawls and the recessed crown-wheel gearing into thepinion-wheel on the feedplate shaft, a regulatinglever for throwing thepawl and sliding bolts and pawls into and out of gear with thecrown-wheel for the purpose of vary-- ing the motion of the same tochange the patternof the stitches, substantially as described.

CYRUS S. GUSHMAN. Witnesses:

JAMES L. NoRRIs', J os. L. (JooMBs.

